If you haven’t done your tax return by now, just go online and do it already.

Odds are good you don’t need a pro, so empower yourself; use a tax-preparation program and get it done – especially if you just have W-2 wages and a few 1099s from, say, interest and dividend income.

Even if your return has more complicated issues, like big charitable deductions, casualty losses or loads of miscellaneous itemized deductions (from job hunting or other work-related expenses), the software programs will ask you enough questions to cover all these topics.

“Using tax software is a great way to go for most people,” says Rande Spiegelman, vice president of financial planning at the Schwab Center for Investment Research.

More than 14 million federal returns were prepared using Intuit’s TurboTax last year, according to spokesperson Julie Miller. That’s up 10 percent from the prior year, with the biggest growth coming from its online product, which grew 57 percent over the prior year.

So plenty of people are obviously empowering themselves.

Other tax-preparation software out there includes H&R Block’s TaxCut ($20), which comes with a big perk – “Worry-Free Audit Support.” The company will defend your return if you ever get audited by the IRS. There’s also TaxACT, by 2nd Story Software ($15.95), and, CompleteTax, by CCH ($38.90).

Of course if your adjusted gross income is around $50,000, you should use the IRS’ Free File program available at irs.gov. It allows people in that income bracket to prepare their federal returns and electronically file them – all for free.

Of course, a professional tax preparer might be your best bet if:

* You have no interest in doing your tax return yourself.

* You run a business, receive equity compensation such as incentive stock options, or are involved in intricate investment strategies like short-selling.

* You have an Alternative Minimum Tax situation or have a high net worth.

At this point, however, don’t expect a tax pro to have your return completed by the April 17 deadline. Odds are good it’ll be extended to the Oct. 15 deadline. Not a big deal, but just know you’ll still have to cough up any tax bill you may owe by April 17.